A gastric band is a great type of weight loss surgery which places a silicone device at the top potion of the stomach which can result in a great index of weight loss. They are used for individuals that are considered obese to the point where other weight loss techniques may not be as effective. However, gastric bands do come with their fair share of risks. In fact, there are several key risks that any individual looking at this surgery should look at before committing to it entirely. Though these risks may seem severe, they are relatively rare in most cases of this obesity surgery. These risks include the following:
• Slippage- This is an unusual occurrence of gastric bands in which the lower most part of a person’s stomach may pro-lapse straight through the band which can cause an enlarged pouch above it. In some severe instances, this can also cause an obstruction to the stomach which will require an immediate surgery to correct or the patient may die.
• Erosion- This is also a very rare occurrence in the use of gastric band, but it is worth mentioning the risk. Sometimes the band can slowly migrate through the wall of the stomach and into the inside of the wall. Though this occurs silently in most cases, it usually causes many painful symptoms that can tip off patients early in the migration. If this instance occurs, some immediate medical and surgical treatment may be immediately necessary.
• Malpositioning- Sometimes, the gastric band used for weight loss surgery may be placed at a slightly uncomfortable position in which kinks in the stomach may be caused. This may result in the stomach not being impaired at all which allows the regular amount of food into the stomach at once. This negates the effects of the gastric band.